Birding can be an incredibly rewarding and fascinating past-time. Many wildlife guides and photographers get into birding when the larger mammals are less active, while some people are just born into a birding family. Whatever the reason, once you get hooked, you’ll never look at the natural world the same way.
Below is a detailed list of what you’ll need to get started. Unfortunately we can’t go into deep detail here about specifics and differences of each option since the field of each is so vast, but future blog posts could cover those options.
Binoculars
A decent-to-good pair of binoculars is a must-have for any birder. Even if you’re coming from a photography background, binoculars are always “on” and the focus is ready to go. Being able to see a bird close-up as quickly as possible is vital since many birds aren’t waiting on you to get everything setup to spot them. If you don’t already have a pair, many great options can be purchased brand new for less than $50.
Reference Guide
A good reference guide is an essential tool. This helps you figure out what it was that you just saw, especially if you were unfamiliar with it. And if you’re just starting out, that will be pretty much everything! There are numerous printed reference guide books that are all excellent, as well as free apps for your phone that can help identify species if you don’t want to carry around the weight of a book. The Merlin app is the most popular option, offering a step-by-step process, an AI-backed identification from a photo, and the ever-popular Sound ID.
Camera Gear
Many people these days, especially throughout Jackson Hole, are already equipped with some kind of camera beyond a phone. The ability to capture a shot of a bird when all you get is a fleeting glance can be helpful when you don’t get a great look. Sometimes being able to zoom into a photo and pick out details you might have missed can make a big difference. Of course, cameras aren’t required at all and many people learn to pick out subtle differences through binoculars with practice. Keep that in mind before you go shelling out big bucks on camera gear specifically for birds. Camera gear is only recommended if photography in general interests you.
What You Need
Getting started in birding is remarkably easy. You likely already have everything you need, and any other tools are easily acquired.
- Binoculars
- Reference guide
- Camera (optional)
That’s it!
Where to Look
Birds can be found literally anywhere in Jackson Hole, particularly in the spring, summer, and fall months. However if you’re looking for something more exciting than the little brown birds in your backyard, below is a list of birding hot spots in the valley that can get you some more exciting finds.
Oxbow Bend and Jackson Lake Dam
Oxbow Bend is a great place for waterfowl and fish-eating birds of prey, such as osprey and bald eagles. Be sure to check out the backside along Cattleman’s Bridge for waterfowl cruising along the Snake River. The Jackson Lake Dam area also sports many different species that might not wander downstream to the bend.
Teton Mountain Canyons
The canyons of the Teton Mountains provide excellent habitat for lots of different birds in the region. The list is too numerable to go through here, but tucked within each canyon is a wide variety of species that can quickly diversify your species count.
National Elk Refuge
The overlook along Flat Creek provides an excellent year-round habitat for waterfowl. Adjacent to the overlook, a series of ponds head south toward the visitor center, attracting many other forms of birds that love wetlands. Likewise, the National Elk Refuge Road on the backside provides sporadic, but exciting finds out in the flats.
South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area
Arguably the best spot in Jackson Hole for birding, the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area provides an ideal habitat for migrating birds. With numerous ponds, the Snake River, and a cottonwood and willow forest, it attracts an unusually large species count for the area.